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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wedding announcements are in good taste, as they require no obligation to send a gift (as opposed to wedding/reception
invitations). They are sent to old friends who have been out of touch for some time, business associates, clients, people who live too far away to attend, and good friends who are not included when the wedding and reception lists are limited. Announcements should be mailed the day of the wedding, or the day after, but may be sent up to a year after the wedding has taken place.
CEREMONY PROGRAMS
Ceremony programs are growing in popularity: Not only do they help personalize the event, they assist guests of other religious denominations understand and follow your service. Programs include the order of the ceremony, the names of all of the bridal party, parents, the
officiant, readers, the source of readings, musicians, vocalists, titles and composers of
songs.
WEDDING MAPS
As a courtesy to your guests, include a map or written instructions to the ceremony and reception sites. Maps are available
from your invitation stationer. Should you choose to compose and print the map yourself, keep in mind that photocopies
are not considered acceptable. If you cannot
afford to have a map printed to match your
invitation ensemble, a more appropriate option would be to create the map on your home computer and print it on a paper similar to your invitations.
STUFFING
ENVELOPES
The invitations
should be placed with the printed side up. The
response card should be placed printed side up
under the flap of the response envelope (never
inside of it). The set should then be placed flap
side up on top of the invitation. If there is a
direction card it should be placed on top of the
response set. If there is a reception card it
should be placed on top of the direction card, or
the response set if there is no direction card.
All pieces should be placed printed side up. Then
the entire set should be placed printed side up
into the envelope so that when it is opened from
the back flap the printed side is facing up.
MAILING INVITATIONS
Invitations should be mailed four to six weeks before the wedding. If many of your guests are from out-of-town or if the
wedding is on a holiday, consider mailing the invitations eight weeks or more prior to the wedding. This courtesy will allow time for your guests to make the necessary travel arrangements. Be sure to weigh the complete invitation to ensure correct postage, and to confirm whether the envelope is considered standard or oversized by the United States Post Office.
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WEDDING STATIONERY
Wedding Stationery is made up of many different items. Wedding stationery goes beyond the request to attend your
wedding. The "Invitation" itself is typically comprised of the ceremony card, reception card (if applicable); response card
with return envelope; map and the inner and outer envelopes. In addition, there are also ceremony programs, table cards,
announcements and thank-you notes to consider.
WHEN TO ORDER
Your invitations should be ordered four to six months prior to the wedding to allow plenty of time
for proofreading,
corrections of any errors, printing, addressing and mailing. The first step is to finalize your guest list. To determine how
many invitations you should order, simply count each couple and single guest, each attendant, parents, family, clergy and
their guests. Order 25-50 extra invitations to handle last minute surprises, as well as guests from the "B" list (if applicable).
It would also be wise to order an extra 25 - 50 envelopes for potential addressing mistakes. Most calligraphers prefer that
you provide them with 10% more envelopes.
CEREMONY INVITATIONS
Once you peruse the wide array of wedding invitations found in stationery books, you may decide to go with a traditional
or contemporary invitation style. Look for designs utilizing unique papers; moiré, rice, weaves, linens and parchment, or
handmade papers with flower petals, glitter of confetti. If you and your fiancé are environmentally-conscious, select an
invitation made from recycled paper. Whatever the case may be, choose an invitation that best reflects both you and your
intended's personalities.
If your intention is to invite all guests to both the ceremony and reception and they are both being held at the same site, it is
not technically correct to put the reception information on your invitation, as they are two separate functions, and footnotes
are never correct. However, some people do this
anyway. (Usually stated as "Reception immediately following
Ceremony") If the ceremony and reception sites are different or if the guest lists vary you should always include a separate
reception invitation with the ceremony invitation.
RECEPTION INVITATION
The invitation to a reception after the wedding ceremony is printed on a small card that matches the paper and typestyle of
the ceremony invitation.
RESPONSE CARD
Response cards are commonly included to enable you and your family to keep track of the number of guests who will be
attending the reception. They simply request that your guests confirm whether they will be attending your wedding. Be sure
to include the matching return envelope and apply postage to it.
THANK YOU NOTES
Most matching informals (thank you notes) come printed
with your names or monogram, and believe it or not, they
cost less than blank boxed cards which are not
personalized. Your informals really should match
the rest of your wedding stationery.
Brides have up to 3 months from the date received to acknowledge wedding gifts and congratulatory notes. A
handwritten, personal thank-you is required for every gift. The note should include a brief reference to the gift, and how it
will be used in your new home. If the gift is monetary, do not state the amount, rather mention what you plan to do with the
gift, such as purchasing an item on your registry or putting it towards your new home.
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Save the Date
When your guest list consists of family and friends who are spread out over several states, you may wish to send "Save The Date" announcements several months prior to sending out your wedding invitations. This will provide ample time for out-of-towners to make travel arrangements in advance.
Printed Return Address
A return address on the flap of the outer envelope is essential. This will enable undeliverable invitations to be returned to you. The return address should be blind embossed, engraved or
thermographed.
Envelope
Liners
Liners can usually be ordered in
a variety of papers and colors. They add
thickness to your envelope, and are a beautiful
finishing touch which can tie your wedding
colors in with your invitation ensemble.
Knowing Who is Responding
Because response cards are often returned unsigned or illegible, it is suggested that you calligraph the name of the guest(s) or number- code your guest list and the back of each response card with small print in the lower right corner for ease of tracking whose response card has been returned. You should request that response cards be returned by a date that is at least two to three weeks prior to the wedding.
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PEW CARDS
Pew cards are for family members and intimate friends who are seated in specially designated pews at the ceremony. Theyare typically 2" x 3" and simply state the pew number or "Within the ribbons." Pew cards may be mailed with the invitations, or may be sent out or hand-delivered once attendance is confirmed.
AT HOME CARDS
At home cards are given to friends and relatives to inform them of the address of the newly married couple. These cards
measure approximately 4" x 2-1/2". For clarity it is best to state your married name on the first line, followed by the date
by which you will be at the new address. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander will be at home after the twenty-second of
June
1234 Myrtle Street Anytown, California 90909
Sealing
Your Envelopes
High quality envelopes are
made with a costly and very hard glue that
prevents envelopes from sticking together before
they are sealed. To easily seal your envelopes
follow these simple steps.
- Use lukewarm water.
- Use a sponge applicator.
- Lightly wipe the glue line
on 3 to 5 envelopes at a time.
- Press flaps down
immediately, then stack 3 to 5 envelopes,
press and hold again.
When linings and thick
invitations are used, extra pressure and time
may be required to “set” the glue.
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